The Friendly Forest

The Friendly Forest                © 1977 Tom Shindler

1. Come, I will lead you down the mountain to the little river valley,
   Where the secrets of the forest live and linger to be found.
   But the way is worn and winding, and you well could lose your way,
   But your feet can only follow,
   Learn to listen to your soul and to your senses silent sound.
2. From the flower-flooded meadow, where the winter snow still lingers
   In the melting July springtime, it’s a song of several seasons’ harmony.
   Then to follow through the forest, tangled trees are torn and tumbled.
   From the mossy crags they crumble,
   As the restless river races toward the summer and the sea.
3. I feel foreign from my fellows for I find the forest friendly
   With its fragrance and its flowing, with its flowers, fungus, ferns and fallen trees.
   So I seek its silent splendor, smell the sweet and subtle stillness,
   Gaze at greenness and at growing
   Fell the fullness and the flowing song of sacred simple peace.
4. So come with me wander where the wild waters weave a web or wonder.
   Learn to listen to the loving and the laughter of the land.
   Deep inside you seek the starving, severed senses stirring slowly, singing sweetly.
   Reach like roots and outstretched arms
   To feel the Friendly Forest hold you in its hand